May 01, 2013
April continued the trend as a busy hiring month with some companies, such as Hanley Wood Exhibitions, announcing several key promotions and The Expo Group upping a few executives and hiring two others.
Two long-time Hanley Wood team members – Tom Cindric, who ran the World of Concrete portfolio and Dana Teague, who formally ran SURFACES | StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas – both were promoted to vice president positions. Both still will have P&L responsibilities over their events.
Cindric joined Hanley Wood Exhibitions in April 2001. Working on World of Concrete the entire time,… more
Mar 31, 2013
After 33 years with Diversified Communications, the company’s president and CEO, Nancy Hasselback, will be retiring June 28.
Ted Wirth, Diversified’s vice president of Business Development, will assume Hasselback’s role.
“For many years, Nancy has been at the heart of Diversified Business Communications’ expansion from the U.S. to a truly global business as well as being responsible for diversification into new industries,” said Daniel Hildreth, chairperson of the board.
He added, “Though perhaps the most important legacy Nancy leaves is from her… more
Feb 06, 2013
The month of January signaled a continued positive trend in the trade show industry – several suppliers and show management companies added to their employee ranks.
George Little Management named Craig Dooley to senior vice president and group show director, IR Events Group, effective Feb. 4. Working from GLM's downtown Chicago office, Dooley will report directly to GLM’s CEO Charles McCurdy.
In this newly created role, Dooley will oversee the strategy, operations, and expansion – including conference development, sales, marketing, financial management, operations and… more
Jan 30, 2013
George Armando Aguel was named president and CEO of Visit Orlando, filling the open position after its prior leader, Gary Sain, passed away suddenly last year.
“George is an incredibly accomplished industry leader, with extensive experience in both leisure and business travel,” said Paul Mears III, chair of the Visit Orlando board of directors.
He added, “His knowledge of the meetings and conventions industry, as well as his relationships throughout the travel and tourism segment, matches perfectly with the criteria that our search committee identified as priorities.”… more
Jan 08, 2013
Scottsdale, Ariz.-based HelmsBriscoe already has strong stakes in the corporate and association markets, but in order to expand into the trade show realm, the company has hired industry veteran Adam Schaffer.
"Adam's addition to HelmsBriscoe is very exciting as we continue to expand our presence domestically and internationally,” said Richard Harper, executive vice president of HelmsBriscoe.
He added, "Adam is a proven leader in the trade show industry and we are confident he will be a highly sought after resource for our clients and our Associates."
Schaffer’s… more
Jan 07, 2013
December usually is a quiet month, but instead, there were a spate of new hires that led right into even more at the start of 2013.
With unemployment figures in the United States continuing to stabilize, the trade show industry is ahead of the curve with a busy hiring season.
Experient hired Heidi Voorhees as senior vice president of Housing, in which she will lead the company’s housing sales and operations.
“The meetings and event industry is ripe for unified registration and housing technologies backed by an organization with strong leadership,” said Shawn Pierce,… more
Jan 02, 2013
Robert "Bob" Jameson has been named the new president and CEO of the Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Ernest (Ernie) Wooden, Jr., has been named president and CEO of the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board (LA Tourism).
Jameson will be replacing David Dubois, who ran the Fort Worth bureau for five years and now is president of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events.
Jameson takes office effective Jan. 19.
"We conducted an extensive national search through an executive placement firm, bringing qualified candidates from across the… more
Dec 25, 2012
The Anaheim/Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau’s Board of Directors has named Jay Burress the new president of the bureau, replacing long-time industry veteran Charles Ahlers.
“We are confident that Anaheim and Orange County will move forward under Burress’ leadership as a major leisure and convention destination,” said Steve Arnold, AOCVCB Chairman of the Board.
He added, “Our destination and partners will benefit substantially from his expertise, collaborative style and drive to succeed.”
In his new position, Burress will lead the… more
Nov 29, 2012
Based in the U.K., with shows around the world, dmg :: events has decided to expand its footprint with a new division in the United States, naming industry veteran Michael Green president to run it.
The new division will be a part of dmg :: events’ existing sector and geography groups of Energy, Digital Marketing and the Middle East.
The group, called dmg :: events USA, will be headquartered in Dallas and will be responsible for dmg :: events’ U.S.-based Digital Marketing businesses – ad:tech, iMedia Summits, iMedia Connection, Digital Collective and CMO Collective (23… more
Nov 14, 2012
Peter W. Nathan, president of PWN Exhibicon International, one of the most well-known and storied icons in the trade show industry, has announced he will retire after 58 years of service.
“It’s time … I’ve been in this industry 58 years,” Nathan said. “Not that I’m going to fade away. There are a number of volunteer opportunities I want to work with.”
Nathan, who is turning 80, started in the industry when he was a 22-year-old and worked with Saul Poliak of Clapp & Poliak.
“I had a fabulous mentor,” Nathan said. “His… more
Partner Voices
Overview:
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality.
In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
“We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.”
Amenities:
The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.
The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience
The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need.
Gold Key Members
The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events.
OCCC Events:
This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.
The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:
AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023
200,000 Attendees
$257 Million in Economic Impact
MEGACON 2023
160,000 Attendees
$205 Million in Economic Impact
Open Championship Series 2023
69,500 Attendees
$89 Million in Economic Impact
Sunshine Classic 2023
42,000 Attendees
$54 Million in Economic Impact
Premiere Orlando 2023
42,000 Attendees
$108 Million in Economic Impact